LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 02: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 Hooters Chevrolet, talks to a crew member during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 2, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Fantasy Fastlane: 2019 TicketGuardian 500

By RJ Kraft | Published: March 8, 2019 16

Robert Laberge | Getty Images

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NASCAR Digital Media

Editor's note: Fantasy Fastlane will look at each race from a fantasy perspective, examining the top plays, sleepers and plays to avoid for NASCAR Fantasy Live. Garage driver will lock at end of Stage 2. Odds come from Westgate.

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LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 02: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John's Ford, during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 2, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images

Kevin Harvick | View stats
 Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 4 Ford 
Odds: 7-2

Fastlane forecast: You know the success Harvick has had at Phoenix -- nine wins, defending race winner, 11 straight top-six finishes. The only reason to not play him is if you are trying to limit uses, but he's too good here to pass up.

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LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 01: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, Adam Stevens, crew chief of the #18 M&M's Chocolate Bar Toyota, and Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Chocolate Bar Toyota, during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 1, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Robert Laberge | Getty Images

Kyle Busch | View stats
 Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 18 Toyota 
Odds: 7-2

Fastlane forecast: Busch has two victories at Phoenix -- including a win in the most recent race on the reconfigured track. He has been stout here with seven straight top-seven finishes, including six top-four finishes in that stretch. He's a must start here.

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Robert Laberge | Getty Images

Chase Elliott | View stats
 Hendrick Motorsports, No. 9 Chevrolet 
Odds: 12-1

Fastlane forecast: Phoenix has been one of Elliott's better tracks as evidenced by the fact that he holds the top average running position (6.239). He has two stage wins and scored stage points in seven of eight stages here. The young star is a top play.

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LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 01: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Discount Tire Ford, signs an autograph during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 1, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Robert Laberge | Getty Images

Brad Keselowski | View stats
 Team Penske, No. 2 Ford 
Odds: 8-1

Fastlane forecast: Keselowski is coming off a second-place finish at Las Vegas, which came after his win at Atlanta. While he's yet to win at Phoenix, he's found success with six top 10s in his last 10 starts -- including a runner-up finish last fall.

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HAMPTON, GA - FEBRUARY 22: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota, stands on the grid during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor Quiktrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 22, 2019 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Denny Hamlin | View stats
 Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 11 Toyota 
Odds: 14-1

Fastlane forecast: Hamlin has one career victory at Phoenix. In his last seven starts here, he has five top 10s -- one of the finishes outside the top 10 saw him lead 193 laps before a crash-induced 35th-place finish. I have a feeling about the 11; I like the play.

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LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 01: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Credit One Bank Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 1, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sarah Crabill | Getty Images

Kyle Larson | View stats
 Chip Ganassi Racing, No. 42 Chevrolet 
Odds: 12-1

Fastlane forecast: Qualifying has never been an issue for Larson at Phoenix (6.0 average starting position). And while he has three top-three finishes in his last five starts there, he does have a 40th- and 18th-place finish in the middle of those.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 09: Erik Jones, driver of the #20 Sport Clips Toyota, gets into his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona International Speedway on February 9, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Erik Jones | View stats
 Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 20 Toyota 
Odds: 25-1

Fastlane forecast: Jones has made five starts at Phoenix and notched three top 10s in that stretch. His 11.4 average finish is his fifth-best in the series. Some added value: He's scored stage points in five of the eight stages at the 1-mile track.

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LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 01: Aric Almirola, driver of the #10 Smithfield Ford, stands in the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 1, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sarah Crabill | Getty Images

Aric Almirola | View stats
 Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 10 Ford 
Odds: 25-1

Fastlane forecast: Almirola has three straight top 10s at Phoenix -- that stretch includes a start from his time at Richard Petty Motorsports. He also has two straight top 10s in 2019. The veteran is a reliable play that should net owners at least 30 points.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 17: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, stands on the grid prior to the start of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

SLEEPER PICK: William Byron | View stats
 Hendrick Motorsports, No. 24 Chevrolet 
Odds: 50-1

Fastlane forecast: In a trying rookie season, two of Byron's best results came at Phoenix. He finished ninth in the fall and 12th in the spring. Reasonable to expect the same with Chad Knaus atop the box.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 15: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #41 Haas Automation Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

SLEEPER PICK: Daniel Suarez | View stats
 Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 41 Ford 
Odds: 60-1

Fastlane forecast: In the two spring races at Phoenix, Suarez has notched two top 10s. An added factor with Suarez is that he has already earned stage points in three of six stages this season.

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LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 01: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #17 Fastenal Ford, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 1, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sarah Crabill | Getty Images

SLEEPER PICK: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | View stats
 Roush Fenway Racing, No. 17 Ford 
Odds: 40-1

Fastlane forecast: Stenhouse is fresh off a sixth-place finish at Las Vegas. While the two races at Phoenix were forgettable for him last year, both 2017 races produced top 10s for him.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 17: Matt DiBenedetto, driver of the #95 Procore Toyota, is introduced during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

SLEEPER PICK: Matt DiBenedetto | View stats
 Leavine Family Racing, No. 95 Toyota 
Odds: 100-1

Fastlane forecast: In less-than-stellar equipment, DiBenedetto has been a top-25 car at Phoenix in recent years. With crew chief Mike Wheeler's strong work with Denny Hamlin here, I expect an uptick.

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HAMPTON, GA - FEBRUARY 23: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 PPG Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor Quiktrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 23, 2019 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

STAY AWAY FROM: Ryan Blaney | View stats
 Team Penske, No. 12 Ford 
Odds: 20-1

Fastlane forecast: In his last four starts at Phoenix, Blaney has an average finish of 22.5; a bit surprising with an average start of 4.8 in that stretch. Throw in his slow start to 2019 and it's worth saving him.

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LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 03: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Pennzoil Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil Oil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 3, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sarah Crabill | Getty Images

STAY AWAY FROM: Joey Logano | View stats
 Team Penske, No. 22 Ford 
Odds: 9-1

Fastlane forecast: Feels weird to advise against playing the reigning champ and last week's winner at Las Vegas. However, since winning at Phoenix in 2016, he has no top 10s here. Save the use.

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AVONDALE, AZ - MARCH 11: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John's Ford, poses with the Winner's Decal in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series TicketGuardian 500 at ISM Raceway on March 11, 2018 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Christian Petersen | Getty Images

My lineup heading into the weekend: Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Aric Almirola; Garage: William Byron. Check back for our "Fantasy Update" piece this weekend for the final lineup. Tweet at me @kraftdaddy85
with your lineups and questions ahead of Sunday's race at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX.